A Guest Post from Writer's Relief
Let’s face it: Becoming a professional writer isn’t easy. In a
career path where rejections
are a guaranteed part of success, a positive outlook can be difficult
to maintain. As writers, we know that our work won’t be accepted by
everyone, but long periods without an acceptance can make us wonder,
“Is my writing strong enough?”
Thoughts like these discourage writers from time to time, and it’s
those thoughts that hamper our progress and chain us down with
self-doubt.
But what if we could use our thoughts in a different way? What if, by
regularly reminding ourselves of our strengths and goals, we could
empower ourselves to not only feel better, but write better?
Positive Self-Talk: Mental Reinforcement For Writers
Positive self-talk is a method by which writers can repeat key
phrases (in the first
person and always in present tense) to cause the mind to
subconsciously accept them as truth. For example, if you want to
consciously live in the present, rather than dwell on the past, you
could focus on repeating the phrase: “I will live for today.”
This form of creative visualization is widely accepted and used by
athletes, actors, and business moguls alike, and it can work equally
well for writers. Don’t worry—there’s no incense or tie-dyed
shirts required!
By simply clearing your mind and repeating certain phrases to
yourself aloud, you can, theoretically, create a belief in your
conscious mind. As a writer, you could use an affirmation like “I
am a talented writer” or “My writing is good enough to be
published.” Some writers also find it inspiring to use quotes
from authors they admire.
Once you truly believe in your affirmations, you’ll begin to see a
positive change in your writing habits.
How To Properly Employ Positive Self-Talk
Focus on the present. Don’t imagine what you will do or what
you have done. Think about your writing now and focus on your best
trait. Say “My writing is…” not “My writing will be…”
Keep it short and simple. Don’t bog yourself down with too
many phrases, and don’t try to memorize a speech. Use short, strong
sentences that exemplify your skills as a writer.
Find
downtime to concentrate on your affirmations. You can
self-talk right before you go to bed, or as you are getting up in the
morning. If you practice yoga or meditate, you can use that time to
come up with positive phrases or repeat a few you’ve already
chosen.
Practice your positive self-talk routinely. Choose a moment of
your day when nothing else is going on around you, then make it a
habit to practice your positive self-talk every day at the same time.
Not only will you find it easier once you have a schedule, but your
brain will memorize them more easily if it knows they’re coming in
advance.
Write your affirmations down. Jot down your positive phrases
on Post-It notes and stick them places you walk past every day. Your
mind will subconsciously absorb these phrases if they’re regularly
in view.
Don’t exaggerate. Telling yourself that you’re a
best-selling author isn’t going to make it true now, and you
want to focus on the present. Use your affirmations to build up to a
goal, but don’t stretch the truth, or your mind will resist
accepting it.
Stay positive. Don’t including negative phrases like, “I
won’t get rejections anymore.” Not only will your mind
immediately remember times when you did get rejections, but
choosing lofty goals won’t help if an inevitable rejection comes
your way. Learn more about choosing the
right words here.
Examples Of Positive Self-Talk (For Writers):
1. My writing benefits others. My readers are inspired by my writing.
2. Writing is my life. I am a serious writer.
3. I write every day. Writing frequently comes easy to me.
4. My family and friends believe in my writing ability.
5. Rejections put me one step closer to acceptance.
7. I can balance my writing and my career.
8. I receive many compliments for my work. My thoughts are worth
writing.
9. My characters are unique. I am talented at creating characters in
my writing.
10. I can write wherever and whenever I
want.
Believing you can become a successful writer is the key to becoming
one. You don’t have to live in an ashram to use positive
affirmations.
At Writer’s Relief, many of our clients have told us that dealing
with rejection letters has become easier since they signed on with
us. Our submission strategists manage the submission process, doing
as much or as little of the work of making submissions as our clients
like. Not only do our strategists motivate our clients to stay on
track with submissions, but we also make the process less personal by
taking the emotional element out of submissions and the regular
rejections that all writers face.
One client, Robert G., told us: “I was afraid of rejection at
first, but with the volume of publications that WR was targeting for
me (about 25 per cycle), I got used to it, and soon I learned to let
‘Thanks for your work, but…’ roll off like water off a duck’s
back. Quack!”
If you would like to learn more about how Writer’s Relief can help
you submit to literary agents or get your work published in literary
journals, contact us today. (http://www.writersrelief.com)
And remember: A little positive self-talk can be a valuable tool to
stave off self-doubt and fear of failure in all aspects of
life. Create your own affirmations, and you’ll find a positive
outlook can drastically change how you perceive your writing,
yourself, and the world around you.
Question: What techniques help you think positively about yourself
and your writing?
